Computing-scale.



L M. SCHANTZ. COMPUTING SCALE. APPLICATION FILED III/UL20, I9I6.

LQQQSS N. /NVENTo/i' n W By IW Patented Jan. 2l, 1.919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

E. M. SCHANTZ. COMPUTING SCALE. APPLICATION FILED IIIAIIJO. Iers.

Patented t1an. 21,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

"Il"IIIIIIIIIllllllll'llllllll "Ill'l'l'llllllllllllllllllllllllllll I'lllllllllllllIlflllllllll! EDWIN M. SCHANTZ, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE COMPUTING SCALE COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, .A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

COMPUTING-SCALE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

Application filed March 20, 1916.- Serial No. 85,329.

To all whom t may concern.'

Chicago, county of Illinois,

he computed cost of a commodity weighed. y invention relates to an improved machine of the form shown in m copending applications Serial Nos. 695,879 and 84,019. he specific improvements in this application relate to improvements in the computing and pilot mechanisms whereby the minimum ofvpower is necessary to drive the computing mechanism and in which pilot devices are employed in'place of gear trains thereby improving the operation of the device. The scale is at all times free to move without any appreciable retardation whereby the accuracy of the scale is maintained. Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l shows a diagrammatic view of the scale, the pilot device to position the weight indicators, and the connect-ions to the weight indicators. This view also shows the printing wheels and sectors and a portion of the clutch devices which connect with the printer impression taking means.

Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic view' of the computing mechanism, the computing pilot mechanism, the computed cost, and price per pound indicators and the nested sleeves connecting with the type sectors shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a modification.

Referring to Fig. l, 86 is 'the scale pan or platform supported in any convenient manner as by the pivoted links. A spring 87 normally holds up the platform. Connected with the pivoted links is an arcuate rack 88 which meshes with a pinion 89 on shaft These parts just described show somewhat diagrammatically an equilibrium machine which is adapted to have a varying i displacement loads thereon. 31 will assume in accordance with varying be obvious that part 44 which extends to the left through the machine.

arts 201 and 202 represent a circuit interrupterA which is open when there is no load upon the scale pan. As soon as a weight is placed upon the pan, an arm conn ected with the pan is lowered thereby permitting 201 to come into contact with 2.02 and close the battery circuit to battery B. ading from the battery and contact 202 are two main leads 203, 204, which lead to the terminals of a motor see Fig. 2. Accordingly current will be supplied to the motor and the motor will turn as long as a load is on the scale pan since contacts 201 and 202 are closed whenever a load is on the scale. The motor drives a series of intermeshed gears 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257 and 250, see Figs. l and 2. It will be understood that gear 254 of Fig. 2 meshes with gear 255 of Fig. 1 and all the gears rotate in unison as long 'as the motor M rotates.

A wire 211 leads from one side of the batry to the indeX 32. Wire 210 leads from ese wires 210 and 213 lead to magnets 208 and 207. Adjacent these magnets are pivoted frames, which frames are normally drawn away from the magnets by springs 214 and 215. A space bar 91 extends between the frames and prevents a simultaneous inward movement of both The frames form ivotal supports for worms 77 and 79 which are connected through universal joints 76 with the shafts of gears 255 and 257 respectively. worms 77 and 7 a worm hob 60 shown diagrammatlcally at 151.

The operation of the parts so far described islas follows: A weight on pan 86 closes contacts 201 and 202 and the current supplied rotates motor M and through the ear train concurrently rotates the worms 7 and 79. At the same time index 32 is rotated clockwise, breaking contact with 205 and keeping on contact with 206. Suitable pins carried by the insulating disk 33 permit the movement of contacts 205 and 206 toward index 32. Current then flows from battery through 211, 32, 206, 210, energizing magnet 207 and back through 203, 202, 201 (now closed) to battery. The ener zation .of magnet 207 holds worm 79 out o mesh wlth Worm hob 60 but since current cannot flow from 32 to 205 magnet 208 is denergized and spring 214 draws worm 77 into mesh with 60 and through parts 40, 44, 43, 42, turns insulated disk 33 clockwise until contact 205 catches up with 32. This energizes both magnets 208 and 207 holds both worms 77 and 79 out of mesh with 60 and stops rotation of 40 and shaft 44. The gear train 45,46, 47, turns the weight indicators 144 and 145 proportionately to the rotation of disk 33 and thereby to an extent corresponding With the load on the scale. Taking weight off the scale reverses the operation until 201 breaks contact with 202. The above weighing and pilot devices operate in a similar manner to the pilot and weighing devices of my copending application Ser. No. 695,879, except that when in equilibrium index 32 is in contact with blades 205l and 206 and the circuits are interrupted when the scale moves from equilibrium.

Oompwtz'ng mechanism.

As previously pointed out shaft 44 has an extent of rotation proportional to the load on the scale. This shaft is therefore utilized to impart movement to the computing mechanism in accordance with and proportionately 4to the weight on the scale. For carrying out the computation, i. c. multiplication of price per pound by wei ht I employ the triangular computing mem er and the price per pound setting devices shown in my copending application, Ser. No. 84019. The setting devices are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2. There are three of these setting devices 110, 1 11, 112, for tens, units and fractions of cents, and the arrangement of gearing therebetween is such that movement is imported to the setting devices of higher order from the lower order devices. In this way, a rack 126 meshing withgear teeth on the setting devices of highest order, is moved to an extent which is proportional to a summation of the movements of all the setting devices. This rack 126 has integral therewith a horizontal bar 130 which has slidably mounted a block 131. The block 131 is vertically slidable on a frame member 132 and has swiveled thereto a T slotted block 133 which engages the computing member 134. The computing member'is in the form of a straight bar which is swiveled to a frame 135 which frame has depending portions 136 internally threaded to engage the threads 137 on the shaft 44. The computer and price setting elements so far described are identical withA those described 'and claimed in my copending application and their operation is the same. It is sufficient to state that the price per pound setting determines the angularity of the computing member 134 (i. e. dependent upon the vertical position of-bar 130) The weight on the scale controls the degreeof rotation of shaft 44 and by means of the screw threads and the frame the shaft 44 advances or retracts the computing member 134 widthwise to an extent proportional to the weight on the scale. The shifting of the computing bar laterally does not aifect the inclinatlon of the member 134 since block 131'slides freely 0n 130.

The price setting devices 110, 111, 112, through suitable gearing connections shown in Fig. 2 turn the price per pound indicators 140, 141 and 142 to correspond with the price per pound set up.

Computer pilot device.

Part 226 represents a rectangular block which supports the pilot elements forV the computer. This block is verticallyguided upon a guide 228. 'The block is also threaded to receive Upon turning the shaft 225 the threads 227 thereon lift or lower blofck 226. Pivoted on the block 226 at 229 is an index or finger 216 having a downwardly depending round nose 215. This nose is adapted to restupon the computing member 134 closely adjacent the pivotal point as shown when there is no load on the scale. The opposite end of the index finger carriesl a blade 231'which is insulated from the body of the index. Spring contact blades 232, 233, are secured to block 225 and are shaped to contact with blade 231. Pinsy 246 and 247 limit the inward movement of these contact blades. A Wire 237 leads from blade 231 to wire 204 which leads to the battery. Wire 236 leads from contact 232 to magnet 222 and wire 235 leads from this magnet to wire 203 which returns to the battery through circuit interrupter 201, 202. From contact blade 233 a'wire 240 leads to magnet 221 whence wires 203, 239, lead back to 201, 202 to battery.A Adjacent magnets threads 227 on a shaft 225.

221 aud 222 are pivoted frames which are this shaft is proportional to thr computed normally drawn inward away from the inagcost of the commodity weighed. i therefore nets by springs 223, 224. Space bar 91 prekgea r to the .said shaft the computed cost in vents both frames from moving inward at dicators which are shown at 160, 161, 162 the same time. The frames form pivotal and 163. The shaft 2251's geared to the loW- 70 supports for worms 219 and 220 which est. order indicator and suitable transfer deworms through universal joints 78 connect vices 161 are interposed between the differ- \\'iththeshat'ts ofdriving gears 251 and ent order indicators to impart. movement The worms 219 and 220 when drawn inward from lower to high order indicators.- by their respective springs are adapted to mesh with worm hol 218 which is carried on Shaft 225, ln order to make a record of the trans action made upon the machine the price per pound indicators, the computed cost indi- Consider the con'iputing member 134 ancators, and the weightindicatorareeonnccted 80 gularly )ositioned by the price setting deto nested sleeves 167 which in turn connect vices an a load on the scale. The shaft with type carriers 168. From these type car- 44 then turns in accordance with and proricrs impressions are taken in any desirable portionally to the load on the scale in the manner. I may employ the impression taking manner previously explained` Turning means shown in my copending application shaft +11 draws computing member 131 to Ser. No. 84,019; or I may employ the imthe right .thereby rocking'index 216 clockpression taking means shown in the. patent wise and breaking contact between blade 231 to Cleal and Reinhard N o. 580,378. and contact 232. No current will now tiow In order to drive the shaft or gear which in wire 236 and magnet 222 will be dedrives the impression taking means I proenergized thereby permitting spring 224 to vide a clutch device which is adapted to condraw worm 220 into engagement with worm nect the driving motor with' the impression hob 218. Shaft 225 then turns and by readevices when it is desired to take a record.

Conner/tcita to recorder. 75

The upward movement of block 226 congears 251 and 257 driven by motor M. A tinues until index 216 is restored to normal shaft 260 extends upwardly from this gear position thus closing contact between 231 and has splined thereto a clutch member 261 and and thereby energizing magnet 222. which is adapted to be thrown upwardly The magnet disengages worm 220 from worin by manual pressure on a spring pressed key hob 218 and stops rotation of shaft 225 and 262. When in upper position clutch member 10o the upward movement of block 226. Durmeshes with clutch elements on a worm Gear ing the aforesaid operation blade 231 has 263 which enmeshes with a hob 264 w ich remained in Contact with 233 thereby allowthrough suitable gearing drives shaft 265. ing current to flow through wire 240 which This corresponds to shaft E of the Cleal and energizes magnet 221 and thereby holds Reinhard patent or to the shaft carrying worm 219 out of engagement with worm hob gear 295 of my (3o-pending application. The 218. operating key carries a pin 266 which is en- When the weight isremoved from the scale gaged by a box cani 267 on the worm hob or if the scale swings too far and then swings 264.. In this way the clutch devices are held back a. spring 230 draws the pivoted index together for one complete rotation of the down rocking it counterclockwise and breaks worm hob. After one rotation the spring the contact between 231 and 233. This 268 throws the pin out of the opening in breaking of contacts denergizes 221 and enthe box cam and thereby disconnects the ergizes 222 thereby allowing worm 219 to be printer from the shaft 260. drawn into engagement with worm hob 218 In the modification shown in Fig. 3 rack 115 thereby driving shaft 225 in reverse direction 1262* is set up by suitable price per pound and lowering block 226 until the index again setting devices. The rack 126a carries a assumes ahorizontal position. When the in- Slotted member 130a which engages a pin dex is in this position contacts 281, 232, 233 on computing member 134a which positions are closed. this member to an angular position correlVhen the contacts are all closed both spending to the price per pound. Theweighmagnets 221 and 222 are energized wherebyy ing scale may be of the lever and spring both worms 219 and 220 are held from entype shown diagrammatically at 86a. A vergagement with Worm heb 218 thereby stopt-ically slidable rod 275 rests on the end of ping the rotation of shaft 225. the lever and 1s elevated proportionally as a 125 v the above devices'it will be seen `that load is placed on the scale. The pilot device shaft 225 is rotated to an extent proportional operatesin asimilarmanner tothe pilot device to two factors, one the weight on the scale shown in Fig. 2 except that the placing of a and the other the price per pound of the comload on the scale lifts the computing memmodity weighed. Therefore, the rotation of ber 134al and thereafter a spring 276 acts to 130 rock the pilot index. Shaft 225" connects with suitable com uting cost indicatorsi and type wheels not s own.

Weighing machines or equilibrium machines as I will hereinafter term them have weak inherent power. If an attempt is made to move a ponderous computing or computing recording mechanism by the power of the equilibrium machine, the action ofthe equilibrium machine will be interfered with to such an extent that inaccurate results will be displayed. By the present constructions above described I provide means for applying an auxiliary source of power, namely that of the motor M to drive the computing and recording machines. The scale or equilibrium machine only is called upon to move the light pilot device, e. part 32, and the slight power necessary to move this device does not in any way interfere with the accuracy of the weighing. It will be understood that various types of power mechanisms may be utilized to constitute the auxiliary source of power. My invention resides in the means for applying the power in such a way that the equilibrium machine is not unduly restrained in its movement.

I claim 1. In a computing scale, in combination, an equilibrium machine having a part adapted to be variablyY displaced in correspondence with varying loads to be weighed; a computing member adjustable in one direction in accordance with variable factors corresponding to price per unit weight and movable in another direction under the control of said variably displaceable part in accordance with variable factors corresponding to weight, whereby the resultants of the computing members movements represent the products of the variable factors; means for indicating the said products; and auxiliary-power mechanism controlled by the said resultant movements of the computing member to actuate the indicating means.

2. In a computing scale, in combination; an equilibrium machine; a computing machine comprised of a member adjustable in two directions; in one direction in accordance with price per pound, and in the other direction in accordance with the weight on the equilibrium machine; indicators and type carri-ers connected therewith; and auxiliary source of power; and means associate with the computing member to apply the power to move the said indicators and type carriers to an extent proportional to the product of price per pound and weight on the scale.

3. In a computing scale, in combination, an equilibrium machine having a part adapted to be variably displaced in correspondence with var ving loads to be weighed; a computing machine operable in accordance with a predetermined price-rate and the displacement of said variably displaceable part, jointly; indicators to indicate the results of the computations performed by the computing machine; type wheels to print said results; auxiliary-power means to actuate the computing machine'in accordance with the displacements of said variably displace-able part; and means for applying an auxiliary source of power to drive the indicators and type wheels in accordance with the movements of the computing machine.

4. In a computing scale, in combination; an equilibrium machine; a computing member adapted to be positioned in accordance with two factors, one the price er pound and the other the weight upon t 1e equilibrium machine; auxiliary power means adapted to displace the said computing member in accordance with the last mentioned factor; indicators and type carriers, and

. pilot devices. associated with the computing member to apply an auxiliary source of power to drive the indicator and type carriers in accordance with the position' and displacement of the computing member.

5. In a computing scale, in combination; an equilibrium machine; a computing machine; a circuit interrupter associated with the equilibrium machine; a motor adapted to be connected with a source of power and r0- tate when the equilibrium machine moves from normal position; an index positioned by the equilibrium machine; a follow up mechanism comprising contacts coperating with the index, a shaft to drive said follow up mechanism, and magnet means adapted to control the driving connection between the said shaft and motor upon. the index moving away from and against the aforesaid contacts; a computing member displaced by the rotation of said shaft; means for variably setting the angularity of said computing member in accordance with the price per pound; indicators and type carriers; pilot devices in operative relation to the computing member, adapted to open and close circuits upon the movement of the computing member; and magnet devices adapted to control the driving connection between the aforesaid indicators and type carriers and the driving motor, whereby the computed cost is set up upon the indicators and type carriers.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, an equilibrium machine; an auxiliary source of power; an index and follow up devices associated with the equilibrium machine; a to be controlled member; and means operable upon the breaking of the contact of the index and follow up device for connecting the aforesaid to be y 7. In a device of the class described, in to an extent proportional to the weight on combination; an equilibrium machine, an the equilibrium machine and the price per auxiliary source of power; an index and pound, to thereby indicate the computed follow up devices associated with the equicost. librium machine; a to be controlled mem- 10. In a device of the class described, in ber; means operable upon relative movecombination; an equilibrium machine; ment of the index and follow up device for weight indicators; Weight type carriers conconnecting the aforesaid to be controlled nected thereto; computed cost indicators; member with the auxiliary source of power, computed cost type carriers connected thereand to thereby control the extent of moveto; an index and follow up devices assothe equilibrium machine; a set of to be posirium machine; means operable upon a relationed devices, an index and follow up detive movement of the index and follow up vices actuated with the aforesaid controlled devices for applying said power to drive the member and means operable upon relative weight indicators and type carriers to an movement between the index and follow up extent proportional to the load upon the devices, imparted by the movement of the equilibrium machinel a computing member controlled member, for connecting the set of operated in unison with the aforesaid to be positioned devices with the auxiliary weight indicators and to a proportional exsource of power whereby the said devices tent, said member being adapted to be variare moved to an extent determined by the ably positioned in accordance with the price controlled member. per pound of the commodity weighed; and

8. In a device of the class described, in an index and follow up devices in operative combination, an equilibrium machine; power association with the computing member for supplying means adapted to be set in operaapplying the aforesaid power to drive the tion when the equilibrium machine moves computed cost indicators and the type carfrom no load equilibrium; a main driving riers connected thereto, whereby the commember; follow up and controlling devices puted cost may be indicated and the type adapted to control the extent of movement carriers set in position for taking a record imparted to the said driving means by the of the computed cost therefrom. power supplying means, in accordance with l1. In a device of the class described, in the displacement of the equilibrium macombination; an equilibrium machine; chine; a computin member adapted to be Weight type carriers; computed cost type f varably positionef in accordance with the carriers, a source of power independent of price per pound, and adapted to be disthe equilibrium machine; an index and placed by the main driving member proporfollow up devices associated with the equitionally to the load on the equilibrium malibrium machine, means operable upon a chine; indicators and type carriers; and folrelative movement of the index and follow low up and controlling devices adapted to up devices for applying said power to drive control, the extent of movement imparted to the aforesaid type carriers to a position the said indicators and type carriers by the corresponding to the weight on the equithe position and displacement of the complaced by said power proportionally to puting member, fwhereby the product of the load on the equilibrium machine, said weight and price per pound is set up upon member being adapted to be variably posisaid type carriers and indicators. tioned in accordance with the price per In a device of the class described, in pound of the commodity weighed; an incombination, an equilibrium machine; dex and follow up devices in operative asweight indicators; computed cost indicasociation with the computing member; and tors; an index and follow up devices assomeans associated therewith to apply the ciated with the equilibrium machine; a aforesaid power and turn the said comsource of power independent of the equilibputed cost type carriers to an extent prorium machine; means operable upon a relaportional to the weight on the equilibrium tive movement of the index and follow u machine and the price per pound, whereby devices for applying said power to drive the said type carries are set in position for takweight indicators to an extent proportional ing a record ofthe computed cost thereto the weight on the equilibrium machine; a rom. computing member operated inunison with l2. In a device of the class described, in the aforesaid weight indicators and adapted combination, an equilibrium machine, comto be variably positioned in accordance with puted cost type carriers, a computing memthe price per pound; and an index and folber adapted to be positioned in accordance low up devices associated with the computwith the price per pound of the commodity ing member for applying the aforesaid weighed, and to be displaced proportionally power to drive the computed cost indicators to the load on the equilibrium machine by i means controlled by the equilibrium maj chine; an index and follow updevices associated with the computing member;'a source' of power'independent of the equilibrium machine the aforesaid index and follow-up devices for applying the said power to turn the 'the type carriersare ,computed cost type carriers to an extent proportional to the load on the equilibrium. machine and the price per pound, whereby set in positionY for taking a record of the computed cost therefrom.

- tion,

13. In a computing scale, in combinaan. equilibrium machine taking -vary ing positions of displacement in accordance with varying loads thereon, -a computing device adapted to be set to a particular being adapted, by

l price per pound and also adapted to beoperated 1n accordance with the displacement of the equilibrium machine, said device said setting and operato mechanically multiply the price and weight and obtain computed cost, and a rea ing device adapted to be driven by a source of power independent of the power tion,

and means controlled by i weights thereon, a computing member ad- Iin accordance with rium machine and inthe other vdirection in an extent proportional of the 4equilibrium machine'for taking olf' from the said device a reading of computed cost.

able displacement corresponding to varying justable 1n two directions,`in one direction equilibthe weight on the accordance with the price per pound of the commodity weighed, a source of power independent of the equilibriumk machine, said source of power being adapted to move the computing member in one direction to to the weight on the equilibrium machine, indicators and type carriers, and means for applying an auxiliary source of power of the equ'librium machine t0 drive the said indicators and type carriers to an extent determined by the setting of the computing member in both directions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

. EDWIN SCHANTZ.

14. An equilibrium machine having a variwhich is independent. 

